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Easy 3-Ingredient Summer Pasta Salad

easy 3-ingredient summer pasta salad - featured image
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A quick, light, and refreshing pasta salad made with just three simple ingredients—rotini pasta, fresh mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes—tossed in Italian dressing. Perfect for hot summer days and impromptu gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta (about 225 grams)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls or diced fresh mozzarella (about 225 grams)
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved (about 250 grams)
  • ½ cup Italian dressing (120 ml), store-bought or homemade

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  3. While the pasta cooks, halve 1 ½ cups of cherry tomatoes and dice or drain 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella pearls.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella. Pour in ½ cup of Italian dressing and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the salad cool.
  6. Just before serving, stir the salad again, taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed, and garnish with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Use fresh mozzarella pearls for best creaminess and texture. Rinse pasta under cold water immediately after draining to stop cooking and prevent stickiness. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt or pepper as needed. Optional add-ins include fresh basil, black pepper, or grated Parmesan. For dairy-free, swap mozzarella with avocado or vegan cheese. For gluten-free, use quinoa or chickpea pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta recipe, 3-ingredient salad, quick lunch, mozzarella salad, cherry tomato salad, Italian dressing salad

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/easy-3-ingredient-summer-pasta-salad-recipe-perfect-for-quick-refreshment/